Mt. Juliet City Manager Kenny Martin has appointed Andy Garrett the new Public Safety Director, and James Hambrick as the new Chief of Police.

The position of Public Safety Director was recently created to oversee animal control, fire suppression and law enforcement. Garrett, who has been serving as Mt. Juliet Chief of Police since July 2008, will be involved in the implementation of the Mt. Juliet Fire Department, including the hiring of its new Fire Chief. The position will work in direct connection with the Police and Fire Chiefs, to ensure and improve emergency services and life safety operations under the Public Safety division.

Hambrick has been serving as Deputy Chief of Police since October 2006. He will be the sixth Chief of Police. He is a 17-year veteran of the Mt. Juliet Police Department, and will lead 43 sworn and 16 non-sworn personnel.

“We wish both of these gentlemen the best in their new positions, and look forward to the new path in the Public Safety and Animal Control Services for the citizens and Mt. Juliet community and those we so honorably serve,” said City Manager Kenny Martin in a statement Wednesday.

Martin said that he met with both Garrett and Hambrick Tuesday and both men were excited about the opportunity. Garrett gave up $2,000 a year of his salary to Hambrick because of the responsibilities of the new positions.